A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off eastern Indonesia on Friday, affecting the region near Halmahera in North Maluku province.According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor occurred at a depth of around 120 kilometres, making it a relatively deep seismic event.The epicentre was located approximately 58 kilometres west of Tobelo, and the quake was recorded at 11:31 local time (0231 GMT).Despite the strength of the tremor, there were no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage at the time of reporting.

Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) confirmed that there was no tsunami threat following the earthquake, providing some relief to coastal communities in the region.Residents in nearby areas, including the city of Ternate located about 114 kilometres from the epicentre, reported feeling the shaking.

Some described experiencing sudden movement of furniture and brief panic, particularly among those who have previously lived through earthquakes in this seismically active region.Indonesia lies on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire’, a highly active tectonic belt known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.This geological setting makes the country particularly vulnerable to seismic events of varying magnitudes.Authorities continue to monitor the situation, although no aftershocks or secondary hazards were immediately highlighted in the report.The incident once again underscores the persistent earthquake risk faced by Indonesia and neighbouring countries in the region.